Beware of the False Antichrist and a False Rapture

A False Antichrist and a False Rapture are real possibilities. This paper shows the considerable impact that such a deception would have and the potent blend of fear and confusion it would cause. The Enemy could exploit this handsomely for his own purpose, to strengthen the hand of the False Prophet and to convince the world that the man who defeats the False Antichrist is the true Messiah.

A False Antichrist and a False Rapture are real possibilities. This paper shows the considerable impact that such a deception would have and the potent blend of fear and confusion it would cause. The Enemy could exploit this handsomely for his own purpose, to strengthen the hand of the False Prophet and to convince the world that the man who defeats the False Antichrist is the true Messiah.

Someone once said that the Book of Revelation is a highly unusual book in that it tells the Enemy far in advance exactly what steps the LORD will take to deal with him in the End Time. Please reflect on this a moment. It is like a chess player declaring that, should a certain position arise in the course of play, he will make such-and-such a move, and if the opponent replies in a certain way, then he will follow through with another specified move. The Enemy is determined to be victorious and has organized his vast army toward that end. It would seem extraordinary, then, that he should also be allowed to know in advance how the LORD will act under certain circumstances. It is a mark of God's great love for mankind that He has given us the information set out in the Book of Revelation. It is a mark also of His absolute sovereignty since, by allowing Satan every opportunity to prepare his strategy well in advance and to deploy his forces to optimum effect, the LORD is showing everyone – men and angels alike – that, even with so many factors in his favor, the Enemy is still utterly helpless before the Almighty.

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Questions the self-styled 'Prophecy Experts' are NOT asking

The Bible prophecy circus is very active today and several prophecy conferences are held annually across America. If they were conducted in full accord with the principles of sound exegesis, they would be most welcome. However, judging by the speakers who appear again and again at these events, the topics selected for discussion, and the pronounced fondness for fabulous conjecture and irrational speculation, there is no doubt that many of these events are deliberately designed to condition Christians to accept an End Time scenario that will actually facilitate the work of the Enemy. These conferences also serve to deflect discussion from issues that ought to be addressed. There is one question in particular that appears to be completely ignored and yet, given the way the Adversary works, it is one that all believers should ask: Will the Enemy introduce a False Antichrist in order to prepare the way for the Real Antichrist? And if so – a second question – will he also try to create a False Rapture?

A very specific warning from Christ

At first glance this may seem like an exercise in semantics, but it is prompted by the grave warnings that Christ gave us in the New Testament, in particular the statement that he will return when the world least expects him: "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:44) and "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:40). The traditional interpretation of these verses centers mainly on the timing of the Lord's return when assessed by reference to prevailing global conditions. That, of course, is a perfectly sound avenue of enquiry, but there is another, deeper, aspect to this. What specific condition would need to obtain for mankind generally to believe that the Lord would not return? Simple – if the masses were convinced that he was

already

here. Consider again what Christ said in Luke 12:40 – "for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." The traditional exegesis centers on the word "hour" – the timing of his return – but if we switch our attention to the word "not", we see that Christ is warning us that a time will come when men will not expect his return.

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Timing is not the issue here because his return is

not

expected. There are only two ways this situation could arise: (1) where mankind had completely abandoned the Bible and had no familiarity whatever with Biblical prophecy, or (2) where mankind believed that he had already returned and was living among them. The former is highly improbable, which only leaves the second possibility. This scenario suggests that the Book of Revelation may actually pose a difficulty for the Enemy. If the Antichrist is to fit the Biblical template and take the place of Christ, then he too must defeat the 'Antichrist.' If he arrived on the world stage and fulfilled the other marks of the Antichrist – bringing peace to a war-torn world, performing a series of impressive miracles, 'proving' his descent from the House of David, and signing a seven-year peace covenant with Israel – he would still fail to satisfy a significant proportion of mankind that he was Christ unless he also defeated a figure so heinous, so barbaric, that the world regarded

that

person as the Antichrist.

The so-called 'Clash of Civilizations'

So how is the Enemy likely to plan for this eventuality? He must place in a position of power somewhere in the world an individual with the military capability to wage a brutal war against a confederacy of leading nations and at the same time commit truly appalling crimes of genocidal proportions. History shows that such a figure would have the necessary apocalyptic effect. Certain powerful dictators of the past have been mistaken for the Antichrist, primarily because of their extraordinary military strength, their indifference to human suffering, and their complete disregard for the peace and security of the nations around them. Napoleon was seen by many Christians as a credible candidate, as were Caligula, Nero, Muhammad, and Hitler.

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